Six face trial over alleged cocaine network in Villach

Five men and one woman went on trial at Klagenfurt Regional Court on Wednesday over allegations that they distributed several kilograms of cocaine in the Villach area over several years, ORF reported.

The case came to light after an undercover police officer bought 430 grams of cocaine, worth about 35,000 euros, three years ago from a Romanian sex worker. She allegedly worked as a courier for the lead defendant and also sold drugs in brothels, according to the indictment.

An investigator told the court that information from other drug dealers had led police to the 38-year-old Romanian man. The other defendants allegedly worked as couriers for him. After phone surveillance proved unsuccessful, police arranged test purchases through an informant. The purchases succeeded and exposed the network, the investigator said.

An undercover officer testified that the lead defendant had spoken about receiving regular deliveries of cocaine by the kilogram. The defendant denies this. At the first day of the trial in August, the defendants admitted partial guilt but said they had used the cocaine only for personal consumption.

Further witnesses were due to testify on Wednesday afternoon. No verdict was expected. The defendants are presumed innocent.